Quand

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This walk will be along sidewalks and paved areas in the downtown core of Ottawa.

Ottawa's Building and Monument Stones

Description

Photo: Colored stone used in gatepost, part of the stone wall around Parliament Hill.

From the location in front of the Parliament Buildings, we'll discuss the construction of the current buildings and the type and origin of the stone used in the Centre and East blocks, and as the pedestal of the statue of Laurier. Walking to the Rideau Canal will take us toward the Fairmont Chateau Laurier and the National War Memorial. From there, we will walk south past the Langevin Building, Post Office, Lord Elgin Hotel, Place Bell Canada, and then cross Elgin St. to the Ottawa Courthouse and, finally, City Hall. Participants will hear something about the history of these buildings and monuments, but mostly about the wide variety of rock from which they were constructed and the local, provincial, and foreign localities from whence the stones were quarried.

Route

From Parliament Hill, we'll make our way to Confederation Square. From there, we will walk south on Elgin St. to the Ottawa Courthouse and finally to Ottawa City Hall.

About

Quentin is a member of the Ottawa-Gatineau Geoheritage Committee, which strives to raise public awareness of the natural heritage in the Capital Region. In 2009, Quentin published a book on Ottawa's building and monument stones. He is also a sessional lecturer in geology and environmental sciences at both Carleton and Univ of Ottawa. Quentin has given this walk for Jane's Walk several times in years past.